Soccer Thread 2008-09 {R}

[DaddyTorgo]

i'm unhappy about it tbh MJ4H. sneaking in the backdoor isn't particularly noble, and frankly is just going to serve to validate in Bradley's mind that this team that he has put together can be successful on the international stage when they really cannot. they don't deserve to be playing in the next round.

much love for charlie davies the BC-boy though.

and it'll be fun watching the US get SMOKED by Spain.

[Big Fo]

I missed a lot of the game eating lunch with the family and watching the US Open with my dad but did see the second goal and the last fifteen minutes.

USA USA USA

Hope Benedict Arnold enjoys the rest of the tournament on TV, the traitor cunt. Even the refs couldn't save Italy today

Awesome stuff.

gtfo with that "sneaking in the back door" stuff, winning is always better than losing and this will be a good boost going into the Gold Cup and the rest of the hexagonal regardless of how we play against Spain.

[Icy]

I don't see it as sneaking the back door.

All three teams had a chance to get the spot, and it was Italy and Egypt who allowed their opponents to score 3 goals on them, while it was a good effort from US to score those 3 goals vs the direct rival.

Sneaking the back door for me would have been a multiple tie up decided by a coin flip, but not scoring 3 goals vs a good rival.

While i would have liked Spain to play and beat Italy in the semifinals as it would have meant more for our prestige, I'm also looking forward to watch USA-Spain, i can't remember if they have ever played against each other.

[BishopMVP]

Shocking that we're a better team without Beasley, Kljestan and Conor Casey starting and a 2nd striker up top next to Jozy. Still, 1-2 -2 goal differential and now Bob Bradley's a genius. FML. We'll be lucky to get 35% possession against Spain. Considering what we saw last June 4th, maybe we could try running Freddy out against them, but I'm sure we'll try to sink 8/9 behind the ball and sneak out a win 1-0 off a set piece.

Originally Posted by Big Fo

this will be a good boost going into the Gold Cup and the rest of the hexagonal regardless of how we play against Spain.

Hexagonal sure, but I don't see how it has an effect on the Gold Cup. That'll be a very different roster (no Donovan, Dempsey, Bradley, Onyewu, Howard, etc.)

By the way, loved the reasoning to run out Bradley's boy Guzan today. "Let's give Howard a break after a long club season." Umm, he's a goalkeeper and Dempsey has looked like shit for 2 games when he wasn't dicking around and doing rabonas or Blanco hops. And your son plays 90+ every game coming off a relegation battle (although really, I want Michael Bradley over the other options at DM, I just hate the double standard.)

[Big Fo]

Where is this "Bradley is a genius" thing coming from? The media or other boards?

[DaddyTorgo]

bradley is anything but a genius...lol

[sovereignstar]

SO who else loves the sound of vuvuzelas blaring in the background???

[Critch]

I was hoping the US would fail so you would dump Bradley. Bring back Bruce Arena.

The second goal was offside, by the way.

[DaddyTorgo]

Originally Posted by Critch

I was hoping the US would fail so you would dump Bradley. Bring back Bruce Arena.

The second goal was offside, by the way.

arena's done and over with. he peaked years ago.

[Chief Rum]

Originally Posted by DaddyTorgo

i'm unhappy about it tbh MJ4H. sneaking in the backdoor isn't particularly noble, and frankly is just going to serve to validate in Bradley's mind that this team that he has put together can be successful on the international stage when they really cannot. they don't deserve to be playing in the next round.

much love for charlie davies the BC-boy though.

and it'll be fun watching the US get SMOKED by Spain.

Damn, hope you're joking. That's some BS there.

No matter how you feel about the way the team's been managed, today was huge for US Soccer. This is right behind beating Mexico in the round of 16 in '02, IMO.

[Butter]

Originally Posted by Critch

I was hoping the US would fail so you would dump Bradley. Bring back Bruce Arena.

The second goal was offside, by the way.

The second goal was not offside. The player in an offside position made no attempt to play the ball. Watch the replay.

[Butter]

Originally Posted by BishopMVP

Umm, he's a goalkeeper and Dempsey has looked like shit for 2 games when he wasn't dicking around and doing rabonas or Blanco hops. And your son plays 90+ every game coming off a relegation battle (although really, I want Michael Bradley over the other options at DM, I just hate the double standard.)

Re: Dempsey...

I think my favorite part of the game had to be when John Harkes began questioning Clint Dempsey's selection in the starting XI. Harkes is about the least controversial commentator I can imagine... sort of the polar opposite of Eric Wynalda, who had an ESPN soccer commentating gig for a couple of years. So, if Harkes thinks you are sucking so badly that he feels the need to say it REPEATEDLY, then you probably have no business being on the field. And to be fair, he was right. Dempsey was the reason Honduras scored the opening goal against us in our last World Cup qualifier, as he was trying to do some spin-o-rama shit in midfield and lost the ball, which led to the opening goal. He was similarly douchey in most of this tournament, trying to dink players off their feet, and repeatedly losing the ball, and worse still putting our defense in horrible position time and again. Then, late in the 3rd game he heads in the third goal, and all of a sudden Harkes loves him again. "They finally put him more up front where he belongs", said Harkes. No, stick to your guns Harkes-y... the guy has been a pile of shit all tournament. Just because he scored the winner doesn't mean he hasn't been a showboating prick. And I really like the guy, but he needs to sit out a game or three.

[Cringer]

Originally Posted by DaddyTorgo

i'm unhappy about it tbh MJ4H. sneaking in the backdoor isn't particularly noble, and frankly is just going to serve to validate in Bradley's mind that this team that he has put together can be successful on the international stage when they really cannot. they don't deserve to be playing in the next round.

much love for charlie davies the BC-boy though.

and it'll be fun watching the US get SMOKED by Spain.

Pretty much my take on this. I was cheering them on yesterday, and it was pretty cool watching it all go down, but in the end this helps Bob Bradley stick around that much longer, and I hate that part of it.

[Big Fo]

You people think Bradley's job was on the line or something? The US could have gotten crushed 7-0 in each game and he'd be the coach at the World Cup.

I'm so sick of people spinning yesterday's win as a negative. Complete bullshit.

[SirFozzie]

MLS
2009+ Three games a week: ESPN/ESPN 2, Fox Soccer Channel, Univision


English Premier League

2009-10 Split between Setanta US and Fox Soccer Channel (FSC Holds the contract, but sublicensed half the games to Setanta) (Confirmed by Setanta - Setanta Sports :: USA)

2010-11 and Beyond: Currently being bid for: Rumored bidders include current rights holder Fox Soccer Channel, Setanta US, and the ESPN Family.

Spanish La Liga
2009-10: Owned by GolTV, Sublicensed partially out to ESPN Deportes/ESPN 2 (see:ESPN Gets La Liga TV Rights In U.S. | EPL Talk). ESPN360 will air all ESPN games (Deportes/ESPN2) in both English and Spanish.

2010-11 and Beyond: GolTV holds the license through 2011-2012 (http://www.multichannel.com/article/..._Extension.php). There are conflicting reports whether the ESPN sublicense is for one year, or through the remaining years.

Italian Serie A
2009-10: Owned by Fox Soccer Channel. Some games aired on ESPN360 last season, not sure if they will for 2009-10.. I'll update when I find out more.

2010 and Beyond: As best as I can find out, per this link (Fox Soccer Channel Acquires Exclusive, English-Language Broadcast Rights to the Italian Serie A Through 2010 | Business Wire | Find Articles at BNET), the Serie A contract runs out after this season. No word on possible bidders, or when it will be put up for auction.

German Bundesliga
2009-10: Owned by GolTV.

2010 and beyond: GolTV recently extended the Bundesliga rights through the 2012-2013 season (Bundesliga extended GolTV partnership - euFootball.BIZ - football (soccer) business news)

Brazilian Campeonato Brasilero (and Campeonato Paulista)

2009: Owned by GolTV.
2010 and Beyond: There is no information in the announcements GolTV put out whether it was a multi-year deal or a one year deal, so this may be a one year deal.

Russian Premier League
2009: Owned by Setanta US
2010/Beyond: Unknown

Argentina
2009:Fox Soccer/Fox Sports En Espanol
2010/Beyond: Unknown

South American Leagues (Columbia/Uruguay/Ecuador/Guatemala)
2009: GolTV
2010/Beyond: Unknown

[Critch]

Originally Posted by Butter_of_69

The second goal was not offside. The player in an offside position made no attempt to play the ball. Watch the replay.

Making an attempt to play the ball is only one of the three ways to be offside. One of the others is interfering an opponent by being offside and in his line of vision, like Dempsey was. Watch the replay.

[BishopMVP]

Originally Posted by Big Fo

Where is this "Bradley is a genius" thing coming from? The media or other boards?

There's a soccer media in this country? That said, the only I do read is Ives, and hopefully he's just playing devil's advocate

Originally Posted by http://www.soccerbyives.net/soccer_by_ives/2009/06/monday-morning-centerback-the-day-after.html#more

Are there still some critics who continue to find things to complain about, even after Sunday's dramatic victory and qualification for the semifinal? Of course, but most of the dissenting voices still questioning Bob Bradley as head coach are critics who were never fans of Bradley in the first place. While there have been moments in the past month that have left Bradley open for criticism, it is tough to argue against the notion that Bradley has helped a young and short-handed U.S. team come of age.
Yes, it is just one result, one win, but you could tell by the reaction of the U.S. players that it was much more than just a win. It was an affirmation of the work the team has done under Bradley, proof that the team's efforts are being rewarded.


Shouldn't we be singing Bob Bradley's praises for overcoming the absence of a handful of key veterans, such as Carlos Bocanegra, Brian Ching, Steve Cherundolo and Frankie Hejduk?

I suppose it could be worse - we could have 3-way scandals like this involving national team starters and the coach's daughter - Kickette Blog

Originally Posted by Butter_of_69

Re: Dempsey...


I think my favorite part of the game had to be when John Harkes began questioning Clint Dempsey's selection in the starting XI. Harkes is about the least controversial commentator I can imagine... sort of the polar opposite of Eric Wynalda, who had an ESPN soccer commentating gig for a couple of years.

Yeah, I realize Harkes was a NT stalwart, and his partner is American, so maybe they know our players a little better, but I'd still greatly prefer the Derek Rae/Tommy Smyth announcing duo. They'll at least criticize players, selection, etc. in an unbiased manner.

[BishopMVP]

Originally Posted by Critch

Making an attempt to play the ball is only one of the three ways to be offside. One of the others is interfering an opponent by being offside and in his line of vision, like Dempsey was. Watch the replay.

There was also a handball clearing Jozy Altidore's shot off the line, so I'd say it evens out.

[Critch]

Originally Posted by BishopMVP

There was also a handball clearing Jozy Altidore's shot off the line, so I'd say it evens out.

Yeah, it was a definite penalty and probably red card as well.

[Big Fo]

Preliminary 30 man US squad for the Gold Cup (to be cut down to 23):

GOALKEEPERS: Brad Guzan, Marcus Hahnemann, Luis Robles, Troy Perkins

DEFENDERS: Jonathan Bornstein, Dan Califf, Steve Cherundolo, Jay DeMerit, Clarence Goodson, Eric Lichaj, Chad Marshall, Michael Orozco, Heath Pearce, Michael Parkhurst, Marvell Wynne

MIDFIELDERS: Freddy Adu, Davy Arnaud, Ricardo Clark, Benny Feilhaber, Eddie Gaven, Stuart Holden, Pablo Mastroeni, Robbie Rogers, John Thorrington, Jose Francisco Torres

FORWARDS: Jozy Altidore, Conor Casey, Kenny Cooper, Charlie Davies, Jeremiah White.

Maybe Adu and Torres will finally get some playing time.

[Butter]

Originally Posted by Critch

Making an attempt to play the ball is only one of the three ways to be offside. One of the others is interfering an opponent by being offside and in his line of vision, like Dempsey was. Watch the replay.

Did watch it. Reminds me of the Beasley goal that got disallowed against Italy in the 2006 World Cup, because McBride was ruled to be in the keeper's line of sight. Didn't agree with that call, don't agree with your assessment. Don't think he was in the line of sight of the keeper at all. He was in the area in front of the keeper, but that whole area doesn't constitute line of sight.

Anyway, I'll second what BishopMVP said, it all evens out.

[DaddyTorgo]

wow - coming back into this thread after x-ing out of the kickette blog i just got hit with a browser redirect BTW (use IE at work so dont have noscript+adaware).

but that's one kooky story.

for my money i'd rather have Juan Roman Riquelme in the Argentine team than Sergio Aguero.

[sovereignstar]

Is the world still over?

[BishopMVP]

Originally Posted by sovereignstar

Is the world still over?

Even a blind squirrel finds a nut sometimes. Regardless, can't argue with the last 2 results, and based off his son's comments they couldn't have done it without keyboard coaches complaining

The 2nd goal was a gift from Ramos, but Jozy Altidore is an absolute beast and the first was beautiful.

It'll be interesting how the US does (assuming they beat S.A.) in the Brazil rematch. Michael Bradley was dragging the 2nd half of Spain, but he's by far our best (healthy/available) central/defensive midfielder and that joke red card (by the same ref from Italy 2006) hurts a lot. Odds are Feilhaber getting the start next to Clark, but I suppose Kljestan is still a possibility.

[DaddyTorgo]

Originally Posted by BishopMVP

based off his son's comments they couldn't have done it without keyboard coaches complaining

??

[Big Fo]

Final Gold Cup roster-

Goalkeepers: Jon Busch (Chicago Fire), Troy Perkins (IK Start), Luis Robles (Kaiserslautern)

Defenders: Steve Cherundolo (Hannover 96), Jimmy Conrad (Kansas City Wizards), Clarence Goodson (IK Start), Jay Heaps (New England Revolution), Chad Marshall (Columbus Crew), Michael Parkhurst (Nordsjaellands), Heath Pearce (Hansa Rostock)

Midfielders: Davy Arnaud (Kansas City Wizards), Kyle Beckerman (Real Salt Lake), Colin Clark (Colorado Rapids), Sam Cronin (Toronto FC), Brad Evans (Seattle Sounders), Stuart Holden (Houston Dynamo), Logan Pause (Chicago Fire), Robbie Rogers (Columbus Crew)

Forwards: Freddy Adu (AS Monaco), Brian Ching (Houston Dynamo), Kenny Cooper (FC Dallas), Charlie Davies (Hammarby), Santino Quaranta (D.C. United)

Is Danny Szetela injured or something? He's looked useful in the past.

[BishopMVP]

Originally Posted by DaddyTorgo

??

After the Egypt game he said it was for all the critics back home.

Originally Posted by Big Fo

Final Gold Cup roster- Jay Heaps (New England Revolution)

Is this like a lifetime achievement award? I realize he's still playing well this season, but wouldn't it make more sense to bring an Anthony Wallace or Kevin Alston, even Sheanon Williams? Maybe I'm just biased because he came to our HS practice, refused to jump and show us his 40" vertical, and owes my friend a t-shirt. It'll also hurt the Revs with Joseph gone too.

[DaddyTorgo]

haha - well said Bishop.

[SirFozzie]

Man, what a UEFA U-21 semifinal.

England goes 3-0 in the first half.

Sweden (the host nation) goes nuts in the second half, scores three goals in the second half to send it to extra time, and then to penalties.

England survives despite their first penalty taker doing a Beckham (falling as he took the PK)

[sovereignstar]

I've never really believed it was a real possibility, but Eto'o to City still has steam. I just saw that Skybet has the odds at 8:15. I don't know they would get everyone their playing time, but that's not my job...

Tevez AND Eto'o??? *drools*

[AlexB]

non-fat Ronaldo has apparently agreed a deal with Real now, and has usurped Zlatan Ibrahimovic as the best paid footballer in the world.

Now the big news for me here is Zlatan was the best paid before this deal... WTF? Decidedly average in world terms, has never delivered on any even remotely big occasion in European club or intertational level - there's always certain guys that somehow manage to be above the radar, and this guy is one of them.

Based on ability vs. reputation... pants.

[Big Fo]

non-fat Ronaldo has apparently agreed a deal with Real now

Time to make some signings Fergie, hurry up and get back from your French holiday. Getting all UK80m in a lump sum is nice, although anyone Man Utd targets will cost extra since the other clubs know they've got a lot of cash to spend.

...and has usurped Zlatan Ibrahimovic as the best paid footballer in the world.

Now the big news for me here is Zlatan was the best paid before this deal... WTF? Decidedly average in world terms, has never delivered on any even remotely big occasion in European club or intertational level - there's always certain guys that somehow manage to be above the radar, and this guy is one of them.

Based on ability vs. reputation... pants.

Ibrahimovic gets more criticism than he deserves IMO, a few off games in CL matches against English teams and people think he's not that good. Outside of Julio Cesar, Maicon, and Ibra Inter were just don't have that many top class players, Serie A is weaker than I've ever seen it. It's easy to get a handle on one superstar when he doesn't have that much help. I would love him to replace Tevez at Man Utd but Inter are wanting crazy money (in between the Kaka and Ronaldo fees according to Moriatti).

But you are right, he should not be the second highest paid player in the world. Even among strikers I don't think he is significantly better (or better at all in some cases) than Rooney, Torres, Villa, and Eto'o. Messi and Ronaldo should be the two highest paid players.

Tevez AND Eto'o??? *drools*

It's like a child playing FM with cheat codes the way they're building that team. Are Wright-Philips, Bellamy, Santa Cruz, etc. going to be bench-warmers? Why not get another central defender? They will be better this year though, I could see them up there with Everton/Villa/Spurs (who won't have as bad a start as last year probably). Heck if Arsenal doesn't do much this summer who knows.

----------------

The Montreal Impact want to join MLS in 2011 alongside Vancouver and Portlant. Their owner thinks he can get $25m from the government of Quebec to upgrade their stadium to a capacity of 21,000.

soccernet.com link

Although I'd like to see an MLS team in the Southeast in my head I know Montreal makes a lot more sense. And even after that St. Louis would likely be better than Atlanta, Charlotte, or anywhere in Florida.

[BishopMVP]

Originally Posted by Big Fo

The Montreal Impact want to join MLS in 2011 alongside Vancouver and Portlant. Their owner thinks he can get $25m from the government of Quebec to upgrade their stadium to a capacity of 21,000.

soccernet.com link

Although I'd like to see an MLS team in the Southeast in my head I know Montreal makes a lot more sense. And even after that St. Louis would likely be better than Atlanta, Charlotte, or anywhere in Florida.

I've always favored Montreal for the next round of expansion. They'd have a fantastic following and great atmosphere, with some natural rivalries built in (Toronto, to a lesser extent Boston and Vancouver). I always felt it was a short-sighted decision by MLS to value the expansion fee over what the city brought to the table, but I guess it's worked out and they can get government money to make up the difference.

Agreed on St. Louis being the 20th city and then stopping for a while. It seems wrong not to have any team in the Southeast, (and Barca's Miami bid was intriguing) but all those fanbases suck. Charlotte's actually a pretty good area, but it's close enough to DC. Ideally KC would just get moved to St. Louis, but barring that StL definitely deserves to be in MLS.

[sovereignstar]

Originally Posted by Big Fo

It's like a child playing FM with cheat codes the way they're building that team. Are Wright-Philips, Bellamy, Santa Cruz, etc. going to be bench-warmers? Why not get another central defender? They will be better this year though, I could see them up there with Everton/Villa/Spurs (who won't have as bad a start as last year probably). Heck if Arsenal doesn't do much this summer who knows.

Hey, you edited your post! Yes, I would imagine those three would be on the bench - always good to have depth. Santa Cruz should have a starting role against certain teams and I think SWP is better suited as a sub anyways. At least one or two defenders should be on the way, though I'm not totally keen on the names being brought up the most (Toure and Lescott). I don't think Dunne and Richards could play any worse than they did last year. Richards was just gassed and I think he'll bounce back nicely this season. I think the defense will improve by default, especially now that the keeper position is settled for good. Kompany is a better DC than DM or MC and he could see more time back there with the addition of Barry in the midfield. Onuha made great strides next season as well. Also, just in general, not playing any European football should pay dividends when it comes to fighthing for a better place in the Premier League this season.

[sovereignstar]

Eto'o playing hardball - this should be interesting. Apparently he wants half of the transfer fee Barcelona will be getting for him. That's pretty ballsy. His agent has called for press conference tomorrow. The games and posturing in European football are pretty spectacular...

[SirFozzie]

Edgar Castillo: "I Want To Play For The U.S." - Goal.com

Interesting, I'd hate to see what happened to Castillo if he switched before the trip into the Azteca...

[Big Fo]

Ankaragücü fans are far too happy to see Darius Vassell sign for them:

video of his welcome

Man Utd made Antonio Valencia their first signing of the summer, I've only seen him a few times with Wigan but he looked good for them, hopefully he makes the step up.

[sovereignstar]

I'm having problems with that site, so I've only seen the first few seconds of it. Surely that has to be taken out of context, no? I'd be surprised if any Turkish fans even knew who he was. I don't think the fans of a League Two squad would be that happy about signing Vassell. He's brutal.

[sovereignstar]

Oh dear lord:

"hi all friends
we have new transfer news they are all world stars one of them is darius vassell; yesterday he was at ankara for a interview with club. 3000 ankaragücü fun welcome him at airport and escort him with 50 bus and 250 cars to his hotel
i will show some picture of them now then i will share the video here "

Nothing taken out of context...

[DaddyTorgo]

Originally Posted by sovereignstar

I'm having problems with that site, so I've only seen the first few seconds of it. Surely that has to be taken out of context, no? I'd be surprised if any Turkish fans even knew who he was. I don't think the fans of a League Two squad would be that happy about signing Vassell. He's brutal.

[sovereignstar]

Seriously. I've just lost all respect the the Turkish Super League. If he was a star, Man City wouldn't have let him go for NOTHING.

[Ajaxab]

Soccernet is now reporting that Benzema is off to Madrid for 35 million pounds. As ridiculous as all this spending is, I'm concerned that the Dutch players on the team are going to be left to rot on the bench (Vandervaart, Sneijder, Huntelaar and maybe Robben and van Nistelrooy as well) and be completely out of form for the World Cup next summer. If Real was not the Yankees before, they sure are now.

[MIJB#19]

Originally Posted by Ajaxab

Soccernet is now reporting that Benzema is off to Madrid for 35 million pounds. As ridiculous as all this spending is, I'm concerned that the Dutch players on the team are going to be left to rot on the bench (Vandervaart, Sneijder, Huntelaar and maybe Robben and van Nistelrooy as well) and be completely out of form for the World Cup next summer. If Real was not the Yankees before, they sure are now.

It's a conspiracy, it's Spain's new strategy to take out a potential thread to their run for the title.

[BishopMVP]

Revs finish their US Open Cup game with 8 players last night and have 11 healthy field players going into this weekend's game. MLS roster limits are a joke.

[DaddyTorgo]

Originally Posted by BishopMVP

Revs finish their US Open Cup game with 8 players last night and have 11 healthy field players going into this weekend's game. MLS roster limits are a joke.

Truth.

[Ajaxab]

Looks like Michael Owen has signed with Manchester United. Seems like a bit of a strange move to me, but maybe with better players getting him the ball, he can recapture some of his old scoring form. I'm not convinced he's anything close to replacing Tevez though.

[Big Fo]

What a surprising signing, maybe it's crazy enough to work. Hopefully he isn't the last guy Man Utd acquire this summer.

[Ronnie Dobbs2]

In ManU replace Ronaldo and Tevez with Valencia and Owen, as a Liverpool fan I'm very pleased. I doubt this is the case, though.

[sovereignstar]

Hull and Sunderland must be devastated that Owen didn't sign for them.

[Big Fo]

----------------------Davies------------------------

Rogers----------------Adu------------------Holden

-----------Beckerman----Pause--------------------

Pearce----Goodson-----Marshall-----Cherundolo

--------------------Perkins------------------

Will be the lineup v. Grenada. Starting in 20 minutes on FSC, let's see some goals early and often hopefully.